Richard Kinnaird from Co Antrim has caught and released the first fish of the season – on fly – from the Upper Mill Pool on the River Drowes on a size eight green Butt Cascade, tied by Denis O'Toole from Wicklow.

Richard Kinnaird from Co Antrim has caught and released the first fish of the season – on fly – from the Upper Mill Pool on the River Drowes on a size eight green Butt Cascade, tied by Denis O'Toole from Wicklow.

This was the first caught and released fish from the river this season and earned Richard a GoPro 3 Plus underwater camera and, as it was the first fish of the season tempted on fly, he also won the selection of salmon flies donated by Denis O'Toole and the hand carved wooden fly box made by Peter Zahnd.

Not a bad result for a day's fishing – and well done Richard on releasing the fish.

On a cold, windy day with heavy hailstone showers, Joe Broderick grassed another fresh salmon of 8lbs on a Rapala from the Crooked Hole and there were reports of another fish lost from the Upper Mill.

The forecast is a mixed bag with rain, hail, sleet and colder weather forecast and the water level is likely to remain high.

Straid Fly Fishers Club are holding a fundraising competition on Saturday, February 15 at Cairn Farm Fly Fishery, Carrickfergus.

All are welcome, with fishing taking place from 10am until 3.30pm for an entry fee of £20.

The annual Dungannon Park Lake New Year's Angling Competition has just taken place and, despite poor weather conditions, there was an excellent turnout of 29 anglers who caught 89 fish on the day.

Poyntzpass angler Michael McMullan was top rod, landing himself £150 and the Perpetual Trophy with a four fish catch of 8lb 14ozs.

Second was John McGookin, Carrickfergus, with 8lb 10ozs, and third was Jimmy Corr, Armagh, with 7lb 13ozs.

The next big event at Dungannon Park Lake is the Sean Finnegan competition in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care on Sunday, February 9 from 9am until 3pm. Telephone 07834 353030 for more information.

Thirteen competitors fished round eight of Erne Anglers Float Only Winter League on the Ballyconnell Canal at No1 lock and Bellanaleck in cold, wet and windy conditions.

The match winner was Lyndon Read, Lisnaskea, who caught roach to 12ozs for 7.850Kgs on an 11 metre pole from a peg on the Car Park stretch at Bellanaleck.

Runner-up was Jack Tisdall, Ballinamallard, on Canal peg one with 5.550Kgs of mainly quality roach taken at six metres, while third was Paul Eyres, Enniskillen, with 4.670Kgs from peg three at Bellanaleck. Ewan Weed won the Harbour section on peg five with 2.800Kgs.

Paul now leads the league on 46 points from David Herron with 38 and Nick Howell on 36.